Nailfiler-tieclip devices



Feb. 19, 1963 E. 1. CARRUTH NAILFILER-TIECLIP DEVICES Filed Nov. 14, 1961 INVENTOR. if. mwwffi m m 9 m o w w 3,077,892 NAlILFTLER-TECMP DEVICES Edwin ll. Carruth, 56595 Coliinwood Ave., Fort Worth, Terr.

Filed Nov. 14, 1% Eier. No. 152,291 Claims. (Cl. 132-73.5)

My invention relates generally to costume jewelry and more particularly to nailfiler devices combined with tieclip devices in novel and useful ways.

Mens neckties of the four-in-hand type are customarily held against their shirt fronts by various types of tieclip devices. Most men customarily groom their fingernails with some sort of nailfiler device, as often as is necessary. it is therefore desirable to most men, that they have a nailfiler device handy and readily accessible for use. It has occurred to me that if a nailfiler were incorporated into a tieclip in an advantageous manner, the resulting combination device would be quite useful. In the prior art of which I am aware there are many types of tieclips and many types of nailfilers. However, I am not aware of any combinations thereof.

It is accordingly the general object of the present invention to provide novel and useful combination nailfilertieclip devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convenient means to carry inconspicuously a nailfiler on ones person.

Another object of the invention is to device having more ordinarily is found.

Another object of the invention is to provide a small nailfiler utilizing a tieclip as holder and handle.

These and other objects are eifected by my invention as will be apparent from the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

HG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a nailfiler-tieclip device in one operative position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1 illustrating the device in another operative position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the nailfiler-tieclip device of FIG. 2 showing it holding a necktie to the fly front of a mans shirt.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a nailfilertieciip device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

provide a tieclip effective friction holding surfaces than i6. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a nailfilertieclip device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a nailfiler-tieclip device in accordance with a modification of the invention as shown by FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view of the left end of the device of FIG. 2L

FIG. 8 is a view of the left end of the device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a view of the left end of the device of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a nailfiler-tieclip device 11 (sometimes hereinafter called the device 11) constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention which includes a nailfiler member 13 pivotally connected to a tieclip member 15. The tieclip member 15 includes a bar portion 17, a hinge portion 19, and a clip or retainer portion 21. The bar portion 17 is illustrated as having the shape of a fiat, narrow, thin, rectangular strip or bar which has a front surface 27 (see FEG. 3 and also FIG. 7) and parallel'thereto a back surface 29. The bar portion 17 may be made of metal, plastic, wood, or any other suitable substance or material that will maintain its shape and size while functioning in the manner described hereinafter. Furthermore, while the bar portion 17 is illustrated as being fiat and rectangular, it may, of course, be made to have any convenient size and any desirable shape that such tieclasp bars ordinarily have. Near one end of the bar portion 17 there is attached to the back surface 29 thereof the hinge portion 19. Near the other end of the bar portion 17, there is a hole 31 (see FIG. 7) for receiving a pivot-pin 25. The hinge portion n as shown, is a thin, narrow band made of the same or similar material as the bar portion 17, but not as wide as the bar portion. The hinge portion 19 includes a flat portion 33 merging with a semi-cylindrical portion 35 which merges with an eye (not shown); the eye having a hole therein for receiving a hinge-pin 23. The hinge portion 19 is affixed to the bar portion 17 near the end thereof opposite the hole 31, with the flat portion 33 contiguous with the back surface 29. The semi-cylindrical portion 35 is disposed away from the hole 31 in the bar portion 17.

The clip portion 21 includes an upstanding web 37, a top flange 39 and a bottom flange 41 (also see FIG. 7) each disposed perpendicularly to the web 37 at the top edges thereof. Each flange 39, 41 has a plurality of teeth 43 near a free end of the clip portion, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. From where the teeth 43 cease, the flanges 39, 41 gradually widen until, at a point about two-thirds the length of the clip portion 21, the flanges 39, 41 merge with a semi-circular portion 44. The marginal edge of the semi-circular portion 44 merges with the top and the bottom edge of the upstanding web 37 which extends for the remainder of the clip portion 21, forming a lever 45 with which to move the clip portion 21 in a manner to be hereinafter described. A hole (not shown) is made in each semi-circular portion 44 at the radial center thereof, which hole accommodates the hinge- 0 pin 23. The web 37 is of such depth that the eye part (not shown) of the hinge portion 19 will slidably fit between the opposed inner faces of the semi-circular portion 44-. The hinge-pin 23 is inserted through the holes (not shown) in the semi-circular portion 44 and the hole in the eye (not shown) and is held in position by any suitable means well known to those skilled in the art. Surrounding the hinge-pin 23 there is a spring (not shown) which exerts a force on the clip portion 21 urging the teeth 43 in toward the back surface 29.

The nailfinder member 13 is a thin, narrow, flat blade 51 having two parallel broad faces 5'3, having a free end shaped to form a curving tapered point 55; the other end 57 being square cut across the blade 51. Near the square cut end, there is a hole 59 (see FIG. 7) through the blade portion 5.1, such hole being adapted to receive the pivot-pin 25. Each broad face 53 has impressed therein multiple parallel rows of teeth intersecting other similar multiple parallel rows of teeth at an acute angle. The multiple parallel rows of teeth are so spaced that a filer surface known to those skilled in the art as a smooth out le surface is obtained. One broad face 53 of the nailfiler member 13 is disposed adjacent the back surface 2@ so that the hole 31 is axially aligned with the hole 59 in the blade 51. The pivot-pin 25 is inserted through the holes 31, 51 and is held therein by any suitable means well known to those skilled in the art. The nailfiler member 13 thereafter, is rotatable about the pivot-pin portion 25 through an arc of 360.

The length of the clip portion 21 is determined by observing firstly that, with the nailfiler member 13 in the preferred operative position extending longitudinally beyond the bar portion 17, the end of the clip portion 21 adjacent the teeth 43 abuts against the square cut end 57 of the nailfiler member 13; and secondly, that the end of the handle 45 is approximately matching the end of the bar portion l7. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred form of the device in operative position to be used for grooming ones fingernails. H i

FIG. 2 represents another operative form the device of HG. l, but with the nailfiler member 13 rotated 180 from the position shown in MG. 1. In such operative position, the teeth 43 of the clip portion 21, under force of the spring (not shown), engage the rows of teeth of the broad surface 55 thereby holding the nailfiler member 13 against the back surface 2h.

FiG. 3 illustrates the device of FIG. 2 operatively holding a necktie, including an outer fold 61, overlying an inner fold'63, both'superimposed on a fly front of a mans shirt as placed between the nailfiler member 13 and the clip portion 21. Referring again to the drawing, FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view' of the device 11 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a clip portion 31 in an open position showing more clearly the nailfiler piece 67 partially inserted into the t-ieclip piece 65 The tieclip piece 65 is illustrated as a relatively thin, flat, narrow, rectangular, C-shaped structure that may be made of any of the materials hereinbefore mentioned in connection with the device of FIG. 1. The tieclip piece 69 may have any convenient size and shape, but a thin, narrow, rectangular shape is preferred. The tieclip piece 69 includes an upstanding web portion 71 (see also PEG. 9), a top rectangular flange portion 73 and a bottom rectangular flange portion 75, both merging respectively with the top edge and the bottom edge of the upstanding web portion 71. The free edge of the top flange portion 73 merges with the upper edge of a depending rectangular retainer flange 77, while the free edge of the bottom flange portion 75 merges with the lower edge ofan upstanding rectangular retainer flange 77. The inside surfaces of the retainer flanges 77, being in a common plane parallel to the plane of the inside surface of the web portion 71, are displaced from such web portion 71 approximately the thickness of the nailfiler piece 67. The inside surfaces of the flange portions 73, 75 are mutually parallel and are displaced approximately the width of the nailfiler piece 67. If the tieclip piece 69 is constructed in the manner just described it will be found that the nailfiler piece 67 will slidably fit between the mutually p rallel inside surfaces.

The nailfiler piece 67 is made in the same manner as nailfiler member 13 described hereinbefore, except that there is no hole in the nailfiler piece 67. The hinge piece 79 is constructed similarly to the hinge portion 19 hereinabove described, but it is aflixed to the parallel outside surfaces of the rectangular retainer flanges 77 and preferably near one end thereof.

The clip piece 81 is constructed similarly to the clip portion 21 hereinabove described. The slidable association of the clip piece 81 with the hinge piece '79 and the relation thereto of the hinge-pin portion 23 is the same as described hereinbefore in connection with the clip portion 21 and the hinge portion 19.

Referring again to the drawing, FIG. illustrates a schematic perspective view of the operative form of the device 11 in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows a clip portion 83 in an open position illustrating more clearly how the nailfiler piece )3 is attached to the device 11. The nailfiler piece 93 is the same structure as the nailfiler piece 67 illustrated and described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. The clip portion 83, and the hinge portion 8'5 are the same structure as the clip portion 21, and the hinge portion 19 illustrated and described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The bar portion 39 is similar tothe bar portion 17 except that there isno hole therein. There are two upstanding semi U-shaped, spring. clips 1 attached to thepbaclcsurfaceZS near the bottom edge of the bar portion 83. One of the-spring clips 91, is, located near the end, of the, bar portion 89 that is opposite the hinge portion 19, while the other spring clip 91 is located longitudinally along the bar portion 83 a distance equal approximately to three-quarters the length of the nailfiler piece 93.

Referring again to the drawing, FIG. 6 shows a modification of the preferred embodiment of the device 11 illustrated in FIG. 1 and described hereinbefo-re. The nailfiler portion 95 is similar to the nailfiler member 13, except that the end 96 of the nailfiler portion 95 opposite the curving tapered point 97, is semi-circular in shape and has a hole (not shown) therein at the radial center of the semicircular end 96, such hole being adaptable to receive the pivot pin 23. The ticclip portion 99 is similar to the tieclip member 35, except that the hole 31 (see FIG. 7) in band part 191 is located near the free end 103 of the hinge portion 1? and is displaced therefrom a distance equal to the radius of the semi-circular end $6 of the nailfiler member 95.

' Now, in order to describe the manner in which the device is used to groom ones fingernails, reference is made first to FIG. I. In this view the nailfiler member 13 is shown in the preferred operative position. The nailfiler member 13 is held fixedly in the extended longitudinal position shown and the same cannot rotate about the pivot pin 25 because the end of the clip portion 21 adjacent the teeth 43 thereof abuts against the square cut end 57 of the blade portion 51 thereby preventing rotation. The tieclip portion 15 becomes an effective and convenient handle for the nailfiler member 13 which is now readily useable to clean and file the fingernails of ones hands. The device illustrated in H6. 6, being a modification of the device of FIG. 1 is used to groom ones fingernails in the following manner: The nailfiler part 95 is rotatable about the hinge pin portion 23. Because the semi-circular end 36 contacts the free end 1G3 of the hinge portion 1%, the nailfiler part 95 will remain at any angle to which it may be rotated and thereby be in an operative position. How ever, the preferred operative position of the nailfiler memer 95. in this modification of the device is either straight up or straight down.

In order to describe the manner in which the device 11 is used to hold the folds of a necktie 61, 63 to the fly front 65 of a mans shirt, reference is made to FIGS. 2 and 3. A force applied to the lever 45 causes the clip portion 21 to rotate about the hinge-pin 23 to some convenient open position (not shown). The folds of a necktie 61, 63 overlying the fly front 65 of a mans shirt are interposed between the clip portion 21 and the nailfiler member 13. Removing the force applied to the lever 45 causes the clip portion 21 to rotate under action of the spring (not shown) toward the nailfiler member 13 and in so doing the teeth 43 impinge upon the underside of the fly front 65 while the rows of teeth on the surface 53 of the nailfiler member 13 impinge upon the upper side of the outer fold 61 of the necktie. The result is that the respective. teeth grasp and hold firmlythe interposed necktie folds 61', 63 and the fly front 65 as shown in FIG. 3.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the same grasping and holding effect upon the folds 61, 63 and the fly front 65 will be effected by the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, provided the nailfiler piece 67 is slidably moved to the right as to be entirely contained by the tieclip piece. Those skilled in the art will notice also. that. the same result will be achieved using the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and the modification shown in FIG. 6.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it. will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not: so limited,but is susceptible of other various changes and. modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

1 claim:

1. A device for grooming fingernails and for grasping.

and holding in fixed relationship the folds ofa necktie overlying the fly front of amans-sbirt comprising, in combination', a bar portion, a hinge portion affixed near one endofsaid bar portioma clip portion connected to said hinge portion and having a square cut end, a nailfiler member having a tapered end and a square cut end and being pivotally fixed to said bar portion in opposed relation to said hinge portion, spring means for urging said clip portion toward said bar portion, with the square cut end of said clip portion abutting against the square cut end of said nailfiler member when same is in the open position.

2. A device for grooming fingernails and for grasping and holding in fixed relationship the folds of a necktie overlying the fly front of a mans shirt comprising, in combination, a bar portion, a hinge portion affixed near one end of said bar portion, a clip portion connected to said hinge portion, said clip portion extending longitudinally beyond said pivotal connection forming a lever means thereby, said clip portion longitudinally extending oppositely to said lever means beyond said pivot to a square cut end, a nailfiler member having a curvedly tapering end and a square cut end, said nailfiler member being pivotally fixed to said bar portion and such that when the nailfiler member is in operative position the square cut end of said clip portion abuts against the said square cut end of said nailfiler member, and spring means for urging said clip portion toward said bar portion.

3. A device for grooming fingernails and for grasping and holding in fixed relationship the folds of a necktie overlying the fly front of a mans shirt comprising, in combination, a bar portion, a hinge portion having a square cut fiat portion aflixed near one end of said bar portion, a clip portion fixed to said hinge portion, a lever means at one end of said clip portion adjacent said pivot and a gripping surface at the other end, a nailfiler member having a curvedly tapering point at one end and a semi-circularly shaped other end and being pivotally fixed to said bar portion so that the marginal portion of the semicircular end is in contact with sm'd square cut flat portion of the hinge portion, and spring means for urging said clip portion toward said bar portion.

4. A device for grooming fingernails and for grasping and holding in fixed relationship the folds of a necktie overlying the fly front of a mans shirt comprising, in combination, a bar portion, a hinge portion afiixed near one end of said bar portion, a clip portion connected to said hinge portion, a nailfiler member, said nailfiler member having two broad parallel faces, a pair of spring clips having one end attached to said her portion near the bottom marginal edge thereof and upstanding therefrom in spaced relation, said nailfiler member being slidably inserta'ble between said spring clips and said bar portion, and spring means for urging said clip portion toward said bar portion.

5. A device for grooming fingernails and for grasping and holding in fixed relationship the folds of a necktie overlying the fly front of a mans shirt comprising, in combination, a bar portion having a longitudinally extending groove formed by a pair of parallel flange members perpendicularly disposed to said bar portion at the top and bottom longitudinal marginal edges thereof and a pair of opposed parallel retainer flanges extending laterally inwardly from the top and bottom marginal edges of said parallel flange members, a hinge portion aflixed to the outside surface of said retainer flanges near one end thereof, a clip portion fixed to said hinge portion, a nailfiler member having two parallel broad faces and being slidably insertable into said longitudinally extending groove, and spring means for urging said clip portion toward said bar portion.

References titted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,367,975 Ivory Feb. 8, 1921 1,652,771 Deubel Dec. 13, 1927 1,780,072 Putrell Oct. 28, 1930 2,357,919 Weiss Sept. 12, 1944 

1. A DEVICE FOR GROOMING FINGERNAILS AND FOR GRASPING AND HOLDING IN FIXED RELATIONSHIP THE FOLDS OF A NECKTIE OVERLYING THE FLY FRONT OF A MAN''S SHIRT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A BAR PORTION, A HINGE PORTION AFFIXED NEAR ONE END OF SAID BAR PORTION, A CLIP PORTION CONNECTED TO SAID HINGE PORTION AND HAVING A SQUARE CUT END, A NAILFILER MEMBER HAVING A TAPERED END AND A SQUARE CUT END AND BEING PIVOTALLY FIXED TO SAID BAR PORTION IN OPPOSED RELATION TO SAID HINGE PORTION, SPRING MEANS FOR URGING SAID CLIP PORTION TOWARD SAID BAR PORTION, WITH THE SQUARE CUT END OF SAID CLIP PORTION ABUTTING AGAINST THE SQUARE CUT END OF SAID NAILFILER MEMBER WHEN SAME IS IN THE OPEN POSITION. 